MACHESNEY PARK — Athletes could be playing on a new field at Harlem High School next school year.

The School District launched its “Harlem Field Turf Campaign: The New Green” campaign Monday to raise the remaining dollars needed to transition to an artificial turf playing field by the 2014-2015 school year. Leaders have raised $420,000 of the campaign’s $850,000 goal to date through private donations.

School district administrators and coaches say the artificial turf will cost less to maintain, allow for 25,000 more hours of field-use annually and decrease injuries.

“Everybody thinks that the concussion rates come from player-to-player contact. It’s contact with the head on the ground, the playing surface. A rubberized playing surface can absorb some of that,” Harlem Athletic Director Kurt Weigt said.

The project is expected to cost about $1.1 million, Josh Aurand, assistant superintendent for business and operations, said. It will be cost neutral.

Leaders expect the artificial turf field will get much more use than in its current state. Aurand said instead of a field that’s used primarily for football and soccer games, it could be enjoyed by community groups, gym classes, the marching band and cheerleaders.

“If we were able to install artificial turf, we could use it basically 24 hours a day if we chose to,” Weigt said.

Rockford Park District Executive Director Tim Dimke said Sportscore Two’s fields will have artificial turf installed as part of the Reclaiming First initiative, which aims to make the region a leading force in the amateur sports tournament market.

The artificial turf would allow for events to be hosted there two additional months of the year since staff doesn’t need to be as concerned about the weather affecting the playing surface. Tournament organizers prefer it, too, because it decreases the chances for cancellation of an event.

“We had to cancel a 600-team soccer tournament because it snowed April 6 (years ago) ... That was a direct blow to our community of over $1 million in economic impact,” Dimke said.

The Rockford Park District may try to purchase artificial turf in bulk with the Hononegah School District if school officials there move forward with field replacement plans.

Page 2 of 2 - Hononegah High School Athletic Director Jay Lauscher said coaches and community members have discussed artificial turf for years, pointing toward lower-maintenance costs and the potential for the district to host more events.

No formal proposal has been presented to the school board, though, because of funding issues. Lauscher said the group would not go to voters to ask for money.

“We all have a wish list but unfortunately, it’s champagne dreams on a beer budget,” he said.